Chapter Three: Tessa

You said no?!" Sana yelled, practically shaking me out of my chair that evening.

We had met up at a downtown bar and I had just finished recounting the morning's events to her.

I frowned, swirling the ice in my glass.

"I don't want to be married. Was that not obvious?" I insisted. What we had that night was never supposed to escalate to a marriage contract.

Before Owen left my apartment, he laid out the deal. He needed a temporary wife for business reasons.

A year long façade to secure a massive deal and satisfy a demanding family.

"Why don't you just pick one of your wealthy friends? Won't I look like a gold digger?" I asked him.

"Ms. Hayes, the media can easily be manipulated. Everyone loves a good story." He stated coolly.

"You will be duly compensated after one year when we get a divorce. And during that time period, I'll ensure you're properly taken care of."

His terms were simple at least. But I didn't think about it for more than a few seconds.

"I can't do it."

He'd risen to his feet, handing me his business card, the same one he left at the hotel.

"Don't be in a hurry, think about it first. Call me when you've really given it a thought."

Sana grabbed my shoulders, pulling me from my memory.

"Tessa, listen to me! It's just one year! Think of the benefits. You're married to one of the most eligible bachelors in America! You can help your company secure the gig, get a huge promotion and by the time both of you divorce, you'll have enough money to fund any lifestyle you want."

"You don't even know how much he plans to give me." I pointed out defensively.

"It's more than your annual salary, that's for sure." She insisted.

"Girl, I'm being for real! I can already picture your wedding." She was grinning, caught up in a ridiculous fantasy.

"Technically, we're already married." I reminded her shrugging.

"Even better, but there has to be..." She trailed off, her eyes suddenly wide as saucers as she stared over my shoulder.

"Oh. My. Goodness."

"What is it? I tried to turn, but she held me in place.

"Don't look. Austin and Clarissa just walked in. "

"What the actual F**k?" I cussed, heart plummeting. I had been doing great without seeing them, and now they had to be here.

"Olay it cool. Clarissa is approaching." Sana warned, glaring at the couple.

Clarissa's sickeningly sweet perfume reached my nostrils before she stood over us, radiating saccharine joy.

"Hello Tessa." She chirped.

I looked at the woman who had been my best friend for a decade. I had the meanest words ready, but all I could feel was the razor-sharp sting of betrayal.

"Ten years." I said, my voice low.

"Ten whole years of being best friends, and you chose to do this to me?"

She shrugged, a flash of something like guilt gone instantly.

"It Just happened. "

"There are thousands of men in this city, and the one you decided was best for you was my boyfriend?"

Austin sidled up next to her, looking cocky, not the guilty mess I'd kicked out.

"Babe, I just got us a table."

I couldn't help a sarcastic chuckle.

"So you're capable of planning dates now?"

His eyes narrowed.

"I found a woman who actually deserved it."

Clarissa, eager to change the subject, squealed.

"Oh well. We actually came here to celebrate some good news."

"Austin finally got a job?" Sana said sarcastically, and I fought back a snort.

Clarissa ignored her, flashing a beautiful golden ring in our faces.

"We're getting married!"

A blind wave of rage and pain crashed over me.

For three years, he wouldn't commit to me, and wouldn't plan a decent evening for us. Yet he was doing all of it for her in a matter of months. He had wasted my time, knowing all along I wasn't the girl he wanted.

With a forced smile, I looked at them.

"Congratulations to you both. It's wedding season after all."

Sana and I exchanged knowing glances and shared a wide smile.

"It certainly is." Sana agreed.

Clarissa frowned. "What's all that smiling about?"

I looked straight at Austin, whose proud smile had insanely evaporated.

"Oh, I'm getting married too."

Clarissa scoffed, rolling her eyes hard.

"Right. Like you could find a man so soon."

I felt the last doubt I had concerning Owen's deal dissolve, replaced by a need to prove them wrong.

"Oh. You'll see." I said, grinning wider.

They definitely would.